ISSUES
Environmental Regulation and Climate Change
Hillary Clinton believes that climate change is man-made and that it is an urgent challenge that must be addressed. As president, she looks towards investing in a clean energy future for our nation. Moreover, she has already expressed support for the cap and trade system, which is a “market-based approach used to control pollution by providing economic incentives for achieving reductions in the emissions of pollutants,” and other tax incentive initiatives. Similarly, Clinton has broad plans in her Clean Energy Challenge (see below) in which she will attempt to form partnerships between states, cities, and rural communities.
Jeb Bush has described her as “extreme” for opposing drilling off the northern coast of Alaska. He has also accused her of favoring “environmental extremists over U.S. jobs.” Michael Short, spokesman of the Republican National Committee commented that “Hillary Clinton’s energy ‘plan’ is to raise more taxes and double down on President Obama’s EPA overreach, which held down wages and cost American jobs.” Rand Paul criticized her for saying that combating climate change would be one of her priorities as president and said, "I don’t think we really want a commander-in-chief who’s battling climate change instead of terrorism.”
Policy Proposals
Relevant History
As Secretary of State, Clinton:
Representative Quotes
Jeb Bush has described her as “extreme” for opposing drilling off the northern coast of Alaska. He has also accused her of favoring “environmental extremists over U.S. jobs.” Michael Short, spokesman of the Republican National Committee commented that “Hillary Clinton’s energy ‘plan’ is to raise more taxes and double down on President Obama’s EPA overreach, which held down wages and cost American jobs.” Rand Paul criticized her for saying that combating climate change would be one of her priorities as president and said, "I don’t think we really want a commander-in-chief who’s battling climate change instead of terrorism.”
Policy Proposals
- Seeks to have more than half a billion solar panels installed across the country by the end of her first term, and to generate enough renewable energy to power every home in America within 10 years of taking office.
- Award competitive grants and other market-based incentives to prompt states to meet/exceed emissions standards.
- Award a Solar X-Prize, which will reward communities for making solar power a more readily available resource.
- Expand the Rural Utilities Services and other programs to help provide clean, reliable, and affordable energy.
Relevant History
As Secretary of State, Clinton:
- Appointed the first Climate Change Envoy whose job was to make climate change a top priority in U.S. diplomacy.
- Helped to create the Climate and Clean Air Coalition global initiative, which worked to unite governments and the private sector to improve air quality.
- Played a key role in negotiating the 2009 UN Copenhagen Accord, an international climate agreement in which major developing countries such as China, India, and Brazil committed to reduce their greenhouse gas pollution.
- Has a lifetime score of 82% (voting for environmental bills) on the National Environmental Scorecard, as she voted for a low-income energy assistance bill proposed by Bernie Sanders and voted to protect public lands; however, she also voted to allow offshore drilling as part of the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act which ended protections for Florida's Gulf Coast.
- Introduced the Strategic Energy Fund Act, which helps to finance clean energy research and alternative fuel projects.
- Co-sponsored legislation to extend the Wind, Solar, and Ethanol Tax Credits.
- Backed the Clean Power Act, which was a power plant clean up bill aimed at reducing emissions responsible for smog, global warming, acid rain, and mercury contamination.
Representative Quotes
- “The reality of climate change is unforgiving no matter what the deniers say.”
- “You don’t have to be a scientist to take on this urgent challenge that threatens us all. You just have to be willing to act.”
- “We’re on the cusp of a new era. We can have more choice in the energy we consume and produce. We can create a more open, efficient, and resilient grid that connects us, empowers us, improves our health, and benefits us all.”
Gun Control and Gun Violence
Hillary Clinton is in favor of passing further gun control laws and will push Congress to pass various gun reform legislation if she becomes president. Clinton has supported various gun reform legislation such as increased background checks and a ban on assault weapons. Clinton says she will also focus on keeping guns out of the wrong people’s hands: such as, domestic abusers and the mentally ill.
Republican candidates have criticized Clinton because they believe that her ideas threaten the 2nd Amendment. Jeb Bush said, “The first impulse of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton is to take rights away from law abiding citizens.” Martin O’Malley attacked Clinton on gun control because he believes she has changed her position on the issue. O’Malley said, “Secretary Clinton attacked Jeb Bush for saying 'the federal government shouldn't be involved in gun laws.' The only problem? She said nearly the exact same thing when she was running for President in 2008, when discussing why she was backing down from supporting licensing and registration requirements for gun ownership.”
Policy Proposals
Relevant History
Representative Quotes
Republican candidates have criticized Clinton because they believe that her ideas threaten the 2nd Amendment. Jeb Bush said, “The first impulse of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton is to take rights away from law abiding citizens.” Martin O’Malley attacked Clinton on gun control because he believes she has changed her position on the issue. O’Malley said, “Secretary Clinton attacked Jeb Bush for saying 'the federal government shouldn't be involved in gun laws.' The only problem? She said nearly the exact same thing when she was running for President in 2008, when discussing why she was backing down from supporting licensing and registration requirements for gun ownership.”
Policy Proposals
- Require any person who sells a “significant” amount of guns to follow the same rules for selling guns as those who own gun stores.
- Enact legislation that forces someone to go through the background check process even if it takes longer than three days. (Currently, if a background check takes longer than three days, the person trying to buy the gun is given the gun and the background check isn’t completed.)
- Provide funding to prosecute those who sell guns illegally.
- Make it illegal to purchase a gun with the intention of giving the gun to a felon.
- Enact a federal ban on assault and military-style weapons.
Relevant History
- Voted no on prohibiting the use of federal funds to confiscate firearms during times of emergency.
- Voted no on a bill that would give liability protection to gun companies. This bill would exempt those from lawsuit who sold guns to people they knew were going to be used for violence. It also exempted those who sold guns in which the guns resulted in death.
- Supported a bill that would make it mandatory for companies engaging in the transfer of guns to provide safeties or gun storage.
- Voted no on a bill that would require background checks at gun shows and extend the assault weapons ban for another 10 years. The bill also held gun companies exempt from all lawsuits except negligence, defective ammunition, breach of contract, and violations of state or federal law regarding guns where the violation may cause harm.
Representative Quotes
- "We've got to rein in what has become an almost article of faith that anybody can have a gun anywhere, anytime. And I don't believe that is in the best interest of the vast majority of people."
- “It’s the only industry in our country where we have given that kind of carte blanche to do whatever you want to do with no fear of legal consequences,” when talking about the law that gives gun companies immunity from liability lawsuits.
Drugs and Criminal Law
Clinton is in favor of reforming the justice system, focusing mainly on drug sentencing and police accountability. Many of her proposals support those sentenced for drug charges, either by pre-emptively reducing the consequences or by supporting their reentry into society. She also favors making police forces more accountable, through training and monitoring, in order to reduce bias and violence. Finally, she favors the principle of the death penalty, though she is in favor of legislation that reinforces the certainty of guilt before taking action.
Senator Rand Paul has attacked Clinton for switching sides on the “War on Drugs”: “Hillary Clinton [has] proposed various criminal justice reform ideas in an attempt to undo some of Bill Clinton’s work — the same work she cheerfully supported as first lady.”
Policy Proposals
Relevant History
Representative Quotes
Senator Rand Paul has attacked Clinton for switching sides on the “War on Drugs”: “Hillary Clinton [has] proposed various criminal justice reform ideas in an attempt to undo some of Bill Clinton’s work — the same work she cheerfully supported as first lady.”
Policy Proposals
- Make body cameras available for all police officers, part of the idea of “bolstering good practices” with federal funding.
- Utilize national guidelines to determine the appropriate use of force.
- Supports “banning the box” so that ex-criminals find it easier to get jobs.
- Cut mandatory minimums in half for nonviolent drug offenders, and proposes making crack and powder cocaine carry equal sentences in order to address racial disparities in sentencing.
- Remove nonviolent drug offenses from being counted as prior "strikes" (when considering prior offenses in sentencing).
Relevant History
- Promoted the expansion of police forces during her last presidential campaign.
- Supported the death penalty (in principle) when running for Senate in 2000.
- Supported the Innocence Protection Act, which sought to reinforce the certainty of someone’s guilt before they are executed.
Representative Quotes
- “We have a lot of evidence now that the death penalty has been too frequently applied, and too often in a discriminatory way. So I think we have to take a hard look at it. I do not favor abolishing it, however, because I do think there are certain egregious cases that still deserve the consideration of the death penalty, but I’d like to see those be very limited and rare.”
- “There needs to be a concerted effort to address the systemic racism in our criminal justice system. And that requires a very clear agenda for retraining police officers, looking at ways to end racial profiling.”
- "I'm a big believer in acquiring evidence, and I think we should see what kind of results we get, both from medical marijuana and from recreational marijuana, before we make any far-reaching conclusions. We need more studies. We need more evidence. And then we can proceed."
Civil Rights - Gender and Sexual Orientation
Clinton is a strong supporter for equal rights for LGBT Americans. When Clinton refers to equality, her mission includes making it “easier for transgender American to change the gender listed on their passports” and ensuring equal treatment in the workplace and public spaces. Clinton believes that not only should every American be entitled to marry, but also to “live, work, pray, learn, and raise a family” without being discriminated against. In addition to protecting the rights of LGBT Americans, Clinton aims to spread human rights awareness around the world and honor the military service of LGBT people. Clinton is also passionate about clarifying the term “sex discrimination” so that it includes discrimination based on gender and sexual orientation.
Clinton’s beliefs are firmly pro-choice, as she thinks “women’s personal health decisions should be made by a woman, her family, and her faith, with the counsel of her doctor. Clinton strongly opposes the defunding of Planned Parenthood as she states that not only would defunding Planned Parenthood eliminate access to legal, safe abortion, but it would also “restrict access to critical health care services, like cancer screenings… and contraception.” In addition, Clinton vows to maintain and protect the Affordable Care Act which bans insurance companies from discriminating against women.
Clinton has been questioned for “changing her mind” on gay marriage. After facing opposition for her husband, President Bill Clinton, signing the Defense of Marriage Act that prevented the federal government from recognizing same-sex marriages, Clinton has responded by claiming that times have simply changed and the beliefs of many Americans on gay marriage, her own included, have evolved. She further proves her point by stating that regardless of when her views evolved, it does not mean she is any less passionate about her beliefs. In addition, Carly Fiorina has said of Clinton, "She tweets about women's rights in this country and takes money from governments that deny women the most basic human rights. She tweets about equal pay for women but won't answer basic questions about her own offices' pay standards — and neither will our President. Hillary may like hashtags. But she doesn't know what leadership means."
Jeb Bush criticized Clinton for defending partial-birth abortion, claiming that voters had no right to decide on this issue. Bush opposed partial birth abortion, claiming it is a “truly barbaric procedure.” Similarly, Senator Marco Rubio criticized Clinton on her belief in partial abortions and the abortion of babies of 24/25 weeks: “I believe it is outrageous that Hillary Clinton supports partial-birth abortion, which is a gruesome process that's been outlawed in the United States, but she supports it as a process that should be legal. I believe that a child, an unborn child at 24, 25 weeks who is viable outside the womb, it should not be legal to abort. Hillary Clinton believes it should be. She's in the minority on both of those issues.”
Policy Proposals
Relevant History
Representative Quotes
Clinton’s beliefs are firmly pro-choice, as she thinks “women’s personal health decisions should be made by a woman, her family, and her faith, with the counsel of her doctor. Clinton strongly opposes the defunding of Planned Parenthood as she states that not only would defunding Planned Parenthood eliminate access to legal, safe abortion, but it would also “restrict access to critical health care services, like cancer screenings… and contraception.” In addition, Clinton vows to maintain and protect the Affordable Care Act which bans insurance companies from discriminating against women.
Clinton has been questioned for “changing her mind” on gay marriage. After facing opposition for her husband, President Bill Clinton, signing the Defense of Marriage Act that prevented the federal government from recognizing same-sex marriages, Clinton has responded by claiming that times have simply changed and the beliefs of many Americans on gay marriage, her own included, have evolved. She further proves her point by stating that regardless of when her views evolved, it does not mean she is any less passionate about her beliefs. In addition, Carly Fiorina has said of Clinton, "She tweets about women's rights in this country and takes money from governments that deny women the most basic human rights. She tweets about equal pay for women but won't answer basic questions about her own offices' pay standards — and neither will our President. Hillary may like hashtags. But she doesn't know what leadership means."
Jeb Bush criticized Clinton for defending partial-birth abortion, claiming that voters had no right to decide on this issue. Bush opposed partial birth abortion, claiming it is a “truly barbaric procedure.” Similarly, Senator Marco Rubio criticized Clinton on her belief in partial abortions and the abortion of babies of 24/25 weeks: “I believe it is outrageous that Hillary Clinton supports partial-birth abortion, which is a gruesome process that's been outlawed in the United States, but she supports it as a process that should be legal. I believe that a child, an unborn child at 24, 25 weeks who is viable outside the womb, it should not be legal to abort. Hillary Clinton believes it should be. She's in the minority on both of those issues.”
Policy Proposals
- Pass the Equality Act which would amend the Civil Rights Act of 1964. In this act, gender identity and sexual orientation will be added to the list of protected classes that include “race, sex, national origin, and religion.” LGBT individuals would also be protected from discrimination throughout all public accommodations.
- Institute paid maternal/paternal leave for all Americans.
Relevant History
- Helped launch the Global Equality Fund, a State Department program that support "programs that advance the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) persons around the world."
- Helped to pass the first-ever UN Resolution on LGBT Human Rights.
- Introduced the Paycheck Fairness Act in 2005, 2007, and 2009 which was aimed at getting women the same pay as men.
Representative Quotes
- “We should ban discrimination against LGBT Americans and their families so they can live, learn, marry, and work just like everybody else.”
- “Its outrageous in 2015 that you can still be fired for being gay, you can lose your home for being gay, you can even be denied a wedding cake for being gay.”
Civil Rights - Race and Ethnicity
Hillary Clinton has been outspoken as a candidate who stands behind mending racial injustice. The main way that Clinton has addressed race issues is through her plans to improve the criminal justice system. She has acknowledged that racism is present in law enforcement, and she wishes to take action against it.
Black Lives Matter has protested Hillary in the past due to some tough-on-crime policies that she and Bill Clinton supported during his presidency, including a bill that created new federal crimes, imposed mandatory minimums for crack and cocaine possession, provided extra funding for states that were harder on criminals, and limited judges’ ability to decide upon sentencing. Black Lives Matter believes that these policies have contributed to some institutional racism that exists today.
Policy Proposals
Relevant History
Representative Quotes
Black Lives Matter has protested Hillary in the past due to some tough-on-crime policies that she and Bill Clinton supported during his presidency, including a bill that created new federal crimes, imposed mandatory minimums for crack and cocaine possession, provided extra funding for states that were harder on criminals, and limited judges’ ability to decide upon sentencing. Black Lives Matter believes that these policies have contributed to some institutional racism that exists today.
Policy Proposals
- Make investments in law enforcement training programs in order to weed out issues of implicit bias and excessive use of force.
- Enact legislation that will address racial profiling by law enforcement officials in all levels of government.
- Eliminate the sentencing disparity between crack and powder cocaine, which is racially significant because crack cocaine is more popular among poor blacks while powder cocaine is more popular among affluent whites.
Relevant History
- Hillary has been rated a 96% by the NAACP because of her stance in favor of affirmative action.
- As a Senator, Hillary Clinton introduced the Count Every Vote Act of 2007 in order to fight voter ID laws, which often promote discrimination.
- She worked with leaders in New York who were affiliated with the organization 100 Black Men in order to establish an all boys school in the South Bronx that serves as an educational facility for a population of mostly black and Latino boys.
Representative Quotes
- “I will never stop working on issues of equality and opportunity, race, and justice. That is a promise. I’ve done it my entire adult life. I will always be in your corner.”
- "Your analysis is totally fair. It's historically fair, it's psychologically fair, it's economically fair, but you're going to have to come together as a movement and say here's what we want done about it. Because you can get lip service from as many white people as you can pack into Yankee Stadium, and a million more like it, who are gonna say, 'Oh, we get it, we get it. We're going to be nicer.' That's not enough, at least in my book." - Hillary Clinton in response to Black Lives Matter protests against her
Fundraising Sources
Money Raised
Clinton raised a total of $97,763,283 from her campaign committee and outside sources (such as super PACs) as of October 16, 2015, and raised an additional $55 million in the last quarter of 2015. Ninety-eight percent of her funding comes from individuals ($76,077,856).
View on Campaign Finance
Last September, Clinton proposed a plan for campaign fundraising reform, which includes a system of matching small donors with taxpayer funds, doubling the monetary influence of individuals. By implementing this, candidates backed mostly by small donors will be able to compete with those who are sponsored by wealthy individuals and companies. However, the cost of implementing this plan has not been disclosed, and Clinton depends on small individual donations for seventeen percent of individual donations.
Super PACs
Criticism
Some of the more progressive supporters of Hillary believe that her decision to accept money from super PACs goes against most of her supporters’ beliefs. Also, Clinton personally assisted in paying for her own PAC, even though she has said that they are “dysfunctional,” and criticized wealthy donors' ability to give large donations while paying little in taxes. Recently, Bernie Sanders has criticized Clinton for receiving “millions of dollars from the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries.” Sanders also criticized Clinton for receiving money from banks, stating, “The first difference is I don’t take money from big banks, I don’t get personal speaking fees from Goldman Sachs.”
Clinton raised a total of $97,763,283 from her campaign committee and outside sources (such as super PACs) as of October 16, 2015, and raised an additional $55 million in the last quarter of 2015. Ninety-eight percent of her funding comes from individuals ($76,077,856).
View on Campaign Finance
Last September, Clinton proposed a plan for campaign fundraising reform, which includes a system of matching small donors with taxpayer funds, doubling the monetary influence of individuals. By implementing this, candidates backed mostly by small donors will be able to compete with those who are sponsored by wealthy individuals and companies. However, the cost of implementing this plan has not been disclosed, and Clinton depends on small individual donations for seventeen percent of individual donations.
Super PACs
- Clinton’s second highest donor group is the Priorities USA Action, a liberal super PAC that donated to immigration, environmental protection, and Planned Parenthood support groups in the 2012 election. As of now, the super PAC has raised $15,654,458 for Hillary Clinton.
- Other donors are the America’s Teachers super PAC (all $1,438 donated by people in DC public schools), the Faith Voters PAC, the Ready PAC, and the Correct the Record PAC (these two being established solely for the Clinton campaign). The largest donors to the Ready PAC are Sol Goldman Investments ($250,000), and Barbara Lee Cambridge, a women’s rights activist ($189,000). In addition, several large companies such as Morgan Stanley ($88,098), JPMorgan Chase ($72,837), BofA Merrill Lynch ($51,847), and Goldman Sachs ($49,250) have donated to Clinton’s campaign.
Criticism
Some of the more progressive supporters of Hillary believe that her decision to accept money from super PACs goes against most of her supporters’ beliefs. Also, Clinton personally assisted in paying for her own PAC, even though she has said that they are “dysfunctional,” and criticized wealthy donors' ability to give large donations while paying little in taxes. Recently, Bernie Sanders has criticized Clinton for receiving “millions of dollars from the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries.” Sanders also criticized Clinton for receiving money from banks, stating, “The first difference is I don’t take money from big banks, I don’t get personal speaking fees from Goldman Sachs.”
Defense and Foreign Policy
Clinton, as evidenced by her support for the Libyan intervention, support for no-fly zones in Syria, and support for Iranian sanctions over the years, is less reluctant to intervene than are the other Democratic candidates. She also explains on her campaign website that an effective military needs a strong economy to fund it. As president, she says she would expand anti-terrorism activities by targeting propaganda, recruitment, and safe havens. She would also continue her previous work while Secretary of State to deny Iran a nuclear weapon. Also, Clinton has been credited with being an important part of developing the "pivot to Asia" strategy currently pursued by America which she states she will continue to pursue.
Clinton has faced criticism from a variety of opponents. Donald Trump has questioned Clinton’s ability to defeat ISIS due to her characterization of the group: “We have a president that doesn’t even use the term — and won’t use the term — radical Islamic terrorism. He doesn’t want to use the term. Hillary Clinton didn’t want to use the term the other day in the debate.” In addition, Carly Fiorina is critical of Clinton’s role as Secretary of State and blames her, as well as President Obama, for allowing ISIS to expand and become “a growing crisis [that] is now spiraling out of control.” Democratic opponent Martin O’Malley has criticized Clinton for being too quick to consider employing the U.S. military abroad. “Secretary Clinton is always quick for the military intervention,” he told CNN Monday. “This could lead to an escalation of Cold War proportions.”
Policy Proposals
Relevant History
Representative Quotes
Clinton has faced criticism from a variety of opponents. Donald Trump has questioned Clinton’s ability to defeat ISIS due to her characterization of the group: “We have a president that doesn’t even use the term — and won’t use the term — radical Islamic terrorism. He doesn’t want to use the term. Hillary Clinton didn’t want to use the term the other day in the debate.” In addition, Carly Fiorina is critical of Clinton’s role as Secretary of State and blames her, as well as President Obama, for allowing ISIS to expand and become “a growing crisis [that] is now spiraling out of control.” Democratic opponent Martin O’Malley has criticized Clinton for being too quick to consider employing the U.S. military abroad. “Secretary Clinton is always quick for the military intervention,” he told CNN Monday. “This could lead to an escalation of Cold War proportions.”
Policy Proposals
- Target ISIS in Syria, Iraq, and across Middle East through increased airstrikes and support of local and regional ground troops.
- Disrupt and dismantle global jihadist groups including their financing, propaganda, and recruiting networks.
- Coordinate intelligence efforts among U.S. allies while increasing our own efforts domestically and abroad.
Relevant History
- Oversaw passage and enactment of the New START Treaty with Russia, aiming to reduce nuclear weapons.
- As a senator, supported all bills aimed at placing sanctions on Iran. She also supported the recent Iran nuclear deal but only as a part of a larger strategy to contain Iranian power in the region.
- Laid the foundation for the “Pivot to Asia” strategy whereby the Obama administration built relationships in Asia as part of new strategy to exert influence in that area.
- Helped to build the international coalition to oust Gadaffi in Libya.
- Supported the 2003 invasion of Iraq, but her position on that issue has changed and she now calls the attack a mistake.
Representative Quotes
- “I believe the future holds far more opportunities than threats if we exercise creative and confident leadership that enables us to shape global events rather than be shaped by them.”
- “I come to the current debate as a long-time advocate for crippling sanctions against Iran. In my eight years in the Senate, I supported every Iran sanctions bill that came up for a vote, and I spoke out frequently about the need to confront the threat posed by Iran’s nuclear ambitions, its support for terrorism, and its hostility toward Israel.”
Business Regulation and Corporations
In a similar manner to her Democratic counterparts, Clinton believes that the key to a stable economy is a strong middle class. As a result her policies are aimed at building the economy from “the ground up,” with an increased minimum wage, strong union support, and tax breaks for smaller businesses essential to her plans for reform. In addition to aiding already established small enterprises, Clinton seeks to facilitate entry into the economy by creating an “infrastructure bank” dedicated to investing in research projects and making capital easily accessible. However her reforms are not only limited to smaller businesses, as Clinton seeks to curtail Wall Street’s influence on the economy through taxes and other restrictive measures.
While Clinton claims that her policies are working towards the advancement of the middle class, some have been skeptical of her plans having the intended beneficial outcomes. Austan D. Goolsbee, an economic adviser to President Obama and a professor at the University of Chicago, commented on Clinton’s proposed reforms: “Long-term answers about education and skills that help change mobility don’t get at the current frustrations and aggravations...People want to answer the question, ‘Are we going to be O.K.?’” In addition, Clinton has been criticized for being disconnected from the middle class’s plight, as she has frequently given speeches at Wall Street banks for over $200,000 each (roughly four times the median annual household income in the United States).
Policy Proposals
Relevant History
Clinton's time as Senator from New York — including serving on the Senate Committees on Education and Labor — was characterized by the same values she currently promotes, such as helping small businesses and increased rights for employees. Votes/actions as Senator include:
Representative Quotes
While Clinton claims that her policies are working towards the advancement of the middle class, some have been skeptical of her plans having the intended beneficial outcomes. Austan D. Goolsbee, an economic adviser to President Obama and a professor at the University of Chicago, commented on Clinton’s proposed reforms: “Long-term answers about education and skills that help change mobility don’t get at the current frustrations and aggravations...People want to answer the question, ‘Are we going to be O.K.?’” In addition, Clinton has been criticized for being disconnected from the middle class’s plight, as she has frequently given speeches at Wall Street banks for over $200,000 each (roughly four times the median annual household income in the United States).
Policy Proposals
- Provide tax relief for small businesses and the middle class, including cutting taxes for businesses that share profits with their employees.
- Raise the federal minimum wage to $12, in conjunction with state and local efforts of workers organizing and bargaining for higher wages.
- Reform our tax code ending the “carried interest” loophole, which she argues has been exploited by the wealthy
- Impose a "risk fee," payable to the government, on banks and financial companies that would be based on their size and their risk of contributing to another financial crisis.
- Impose a tax on "harmful" high-frequency trading to make our stock markets fairer, more open, and transparent.
- Enact mandatory paid family leave, earned sick days, and quality affordable child care for employees.
- Enact a tax credit of $1,500 per apprentice (interns) for businesses that hire them.
Relevant History
Clinton's time as Senator from New York — including serving on the Senate Committees on Education and Labor — was characterized by the same values she currently promotes, such as helping small businesses and increased rights for employees. Votes/actions as Senator include:
- Voting to increase deductible business expenses for small businesses.
- Co-sponsoring an amendment to expand small business tax breaks.
- Co-sponsoring a bill in 2006 to increase the minimum wage at the time from $5.15 to $7.25.
Representative Quotes
- “If we want to get serious about raising incomes, we have to get serious about supporting union workers.”
- “Our banking system is still too complex and too risky. . . . While institutions have paid large fines and in some cases admitted guilt, too often it has seemed that the human beings responsible get off with limited consequences — or none at all, even when they’ve already pocketed the gains. This is wrong, and on my watch, it will change.”
- “Don’t let anybody tell you that it’s corporations and businesses that create jobs. You know that old theory, trickle-down economics. That has been tried, that has failed.”
Education
Having served in the Senate and as the First Lady of the nation and Arkansas, Clinton has had a lot of experience dealing with legislation that revolves around education. Her main goal is to make publicly provided education at every stage affordable and “world-class.” The modern debate for education breaks down into three branches — early education (pre-k and kindergarten), K-12, and college — and Clinton is one of the few candidates to have structured arguments in all three areas. Clinton’s main proposals about education reform deal with the problem of rising college tuition costs and the crippling student loan debt most graduates face.
Clinton’s New College Compact Plan has garnered criticism from multiple GOP candidates including Senator Marco Rubio. Rubio doesn’t believe that Clinton’s approach of raising taxes to allow more money to be used on her new plan is an effective method. Rubio predicts that Clinton’s plan will only causes tuition to rise, which is something Rubio believes education should be moving away from in order to progress.
Policy Proposals
Relevant History
Representative Quotes
Clinton’s New College Compact Plan has garnered criticism from multiple GOP candidates including Senator Marco Rubio. Rubio doesn’t believe that Clinton’s approach of raising taxes to allow more money to be used on her new plan is an effective method. Rubio predicts that Clinton’s plan will only causes tuition to rise, which is something Rubio believes education should be moving away from in order to progress.
Policy Proposals
- The New College Compact Plan
- The plan would pay for a student’s books, fees, and tuition as long as the college is a public, four year institution. Students would be required to work 10 hours a week in order to contribute to paying a portion of what they will get back from the plan, and families of students using the plan would also contribute and help the student pay off other expenses.
- The Federal government would incentivize states to participate by rewarding grants to those that commit to the plan. States would have the obligation to invest federal money in higher education with maintaining an affordable tuition and insuring that all students leave with a degree.
- The Federal government will cut interest rates on student loans.
- Clinton plans to pay for the $350 billion dollar plan over ten years by closing tax loopholes and expenditures that currently favor the wealthier portion of society. Part of these limits include reducing the value of itemized deductions available to high income citizens.
- K-12 and Early Education
- Proposes to increase the overall level and accessibility of education in the United States by prioritizing it as a matter that requires addressing, by insuring better teacher support and training than in previous years, and by providing disabled students with all the programs and support they need in order to be successful.
- Increased investment in early childhood programs, including increased accessibility.
- Clinton has voiced support for the Common Core initiative, praising the standards it uses.
Relevant History
- Fought to establish mandatory teacher testing and state standards for curriculum and classroom size, and later introduced the Arkansas’s Home Instruction Program for Preschool Youth (HIPPY), as First Lady of Arkansas.
- Served on the Senate Health, Education, and Labor Committee for eight years, where she helped to craft legislation such as the No Child Left Behind Act and the Ready to Learn Act.
Representative Quotes
- “We need a president who will fight for strong public schools in every ZIP code and every community across the country. I want to be that president. I want to fight for you and for educators, and for students and for families. I think they go together.”
- “We need to make a quality education affordable and available to everyone willing to work for it, without saddling them with decades of debt.”
Taxes and Economic Policy
Clinton has created an image for herself as the defender of the working class Americans. In the Democratic debates, she has stated that a priority of hers is to combat socioeconomic divides so that parents from any household can “say to a child yes, you, too, can grow up to be president.” Clinton wants to relieve the tax burden on lower and working class Americans, as well as small businesses. A central goal is to increase capital gains taxes as a means of making the wealthiest Americans pay their fair share, as she believes that short term investments are inhibiting economic prosperity.
Critics on both sides have opposed Clinton's plans. Grover Norquist, president of the conservative Americans for Tax Reform, said that Clinton is ignoring history by asserting that raising capital gains will promote economic growth. Len Burman, a top tax economist during the last two years of President Bill Clinton’s administration, said he doubted the plan would significantly change investor behavior. He said, “I don’t think her proposal is going to solve it… the plan might actually encourage some shareholders to pull investments out of a company earlier than they would otherwise.” Michael Briggs, a spokesman for Bernie Sanders, criticized Clinton’s tax plan by noting that income disparity is too large and “we have to go a lot further.”
Policy Proposals
Relevant History
Representative Quotes
Critics on both sides have opposed Clinton's plans. Grover Norquist, president of the conservative Americans for Tax Reform, said that Clinton is ignoring history by asserting that raising capital gains will promote economic growth. Len Burman, a top tax economist during the last two years of President Bill Clinton’s administration, said he doubted the plan would significantly change investor behavior. He said, “I don’t think her proposal is going to solve it… the plan might actually encourage some shareholders to pull investments out of a company earlier than they would otherwise.” Michael Briggs, a spokesman for Bernie Sanders, criticized Clinton’s tax plan by noting that income disparity is too large and “we have to go a lot further.”
Policy Proposals
- Raise the capital gains tax in the second year of holding an investment. Currently the tax goes from 39.6% in the first year to 23.8% in the second year. Clinton has proposed keeping it at 39.6% in the second year and then dropping it at a staggered rate for six years. This affects the top .05% of taxpayers.
- Enact the so-called "Buffet rule": individuals earning more than $1 million annually would pay a minimum of 30% income tax.
- Expand the estate tax, which is a tax on estates worth more than $5.5 million. Clinton wishes to bring the threshold down to $3.5 million and raise the actual tax from 40% to 45%.
- Enact the Fair Share Surcharge: a 4% surtax on all income over $5 million in addition to the 39.6% they already pay in the top tax bracket.
Relevant History
- Voted yes to increasing the tax rate on people earning more than $1 million.
- Voted against the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 — or, as the bill has become known, the Bush tax cuts. This bill was the first phase in sweeping tax cuts enacted by President George W. Bush. Clinton again voted no on the second round of Bush tax cuts — the Jobs and Growth Tax Reconciliation Act of 2003 — which dropped the top rate on long-term capital gains from 20% to 15%, and the top rate on dividends from 39.6% to 15%.
Representative Quotes
- “The evidence is in: inequality is a drag on our entire economy.”
- “Every one of us stands for the kind of economy that will work better for every American. And if that means taking on Wall Street, I have a plan that is tough and comprehensive. . . .”
- “If we don't get the American economy moving and growing, we're not going to recognize our country, and we're not going to give our kids the same opportunities that we had.”
Immigration
Hillary Clinton’s immigration platform is focused on providing more opportunities for immigrants of all statuses, and facilitating integration into American society and the path to obtaining U.S. citizenship. She is a strong supporter of President Barack Obama’s executive orders on immigration (DAPA and DACA). She vows to conduct more “humane” immigration enforcement, but at the same time focus resources on detaining and deporting individuals who pose a violent threat to society. She also wants to find efficient alternatives to detention for families and non-dangerous individuals. According to her campaign website, these alternatives have “proven effective and cost a fraction of what it takes to keep families in detention.” She also believes that illegal immigrants should have access to more basic benefits that the average citizen or legal immigrant has, such as healthcare.
Policy Proposals
Relevant History
Representative Quotes
Policy Proposals
- End family detentions and replace them with other alternatives for people who pose “no flight or public safety risk,” such as supervised release.
- Close private immigration detention centers, for she believes that the private sector's involvement in this “critical government function” will contribute to over-incarceration.
- Expand the Affordable Healthcare Act to all immigrants — regardless of immigration status — because she believes that “families who want to purchase health insurance should be able to do so.”
Relevant History
- Co-sponsored and supported several bills regarding comprehensive immigration reform, such as Senator Ted Kennedy’s 2004 bill S.O.L.V.E., which would have created an adjustment program for non-dangerous illegal immigrants; the DREAM Act (2003, 2005, 2007), which would have allowed student immigrants to apply for temporary citizenship and have access to benefits like in-state college tuition; and the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act (2006 and 2007), which would have granted several major amnesty opportunities to illegal immigrants and layout several plans for securing the border.
- Introduced the Legal Immigrant Children’s Health Improvement Act, which ended the five-year waiting period for immigrant children and pregnant women to participate in the Children’s Health Insurance Program (first introduced in 2007, later reintroduced and passed in 2009 as part of the Children’s Health Insurance Reauthorization Act).
Representative Quotes
- “We have to finally and once and for all fix our immigration system – this is a family issue, it’s an economic issue too, but it is at heart a family issue… The American people support comprehensive immigration reform not just because it’s the right thing to do — and it is — but because it will strengthen families, strengthen our economy, and strengthen our country."
- “If you work hard, if you love this country, if you contribute to it, and want nothing more than to build a good future for yourselves and your children, we should give you a way to come forward and become a citizen.”
Health Care and Social Security
Clinton plans to keep in place the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) in order to provide affordable health care for all Americans, for she believes it is a fundamental human right. She plans to achieve this by lowering the cost of co-pays, deductibles, and prescription drugs to allow all Americans easier access to treatment and doctors. As for Social Security and Medicare, Clinton is against their privatization and will work to expand them so they reach those Americans who need it most. In order to fund the Social Security and Medicare expansion, Clinton is proposing to raise the Social Security tax for higher-income Americans.
Some Republicans argue that raising taxes to cover health care for all Americans is the wrong way to go, and are opposed to Clinton's anti-privatization mindset. Republicans argue this because they do not want the federal government in charge of healthcare for they believe the private sphere is more efficient and drives down costs. Bernie Sanders, her main opposition within her party, has a slightly different approach on health care. He is suggesting a single-payer health care system, while Clinton aims to keep Obamacare in place, while adding a few key improvements.
Policy Proposals
Relevant History
Representative Quotes
Some Republicans argue that raising taxes to cover health care for all Americans is the wrong way to go, and are opposed to Clinton's anti-privatization mindset. Republicans argue this because they do not want the federal government in charge of healthcare for they believe the private sphere is more efficient and drives down costs. Bernie Sanders, her main opposition within her party, has a slightly different approach on health care. He is suggesting a single-payer health care system, while Clinton aims to keep Obamacare in place, while adding a few key improvements.
Policy Proposals
- Raise the Social Security cap (annual income subject to social security tax) so higher income Americans will pay more into the system to support its overall sustainability.
- Receive tax refunds on $2,500 (individual) or $5,000 (family) if medical costs exceed 5% of your annual income in order to help lower income Americans.
- Force insurance companies and employers to provide three deductible-free “sick visits” for patients a year.
- Decrease how much patients pay for prescription drugs with their own money to $250 a month or $3000 a year.
- Force pharmaceutical companies to spend a certain percentage of their money on research and development.
- Repeal the Cadillac Tax (a tax on good quality/expensive employer provided health plans).
Relevant History
- Led the creation of the Children’s Health Insurance Program, which provides healthcare to over 8 million children nationwide.
- Worked with the Bush Administration to provide $20 billion in health care funds for 9/11 first responders who acquired and suffered long term illnesses from helping in the attacks.
- As Senator, defended the Affordable Healthcare Act from Republican efforts to repeal it.
- Voted yes to a 2008 bill funding programs to combat AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria.
Representative Quotes
- “Now, I will also defend Social Security and Medicare from the efforts of the Republicans to privatize both of them... I will not let anybody think that they can privatize it. But we're going to have to make sure that we shore it up so that it is there not just for those who are currently recipients but for generations to come.”
- “It has gotten to the point where people are being asked to pay not just hundreds but thousands of dollars for a single pill, that is not the way the market is supposed to work. That is bad actors making a fortune off of people’s misfortune.”
Poverty and Social Welfare Programs
Clinton’s approach toward poverty and inequality is to get more money in the hands of the lower and middle classes, while forcing those at the top to pay more into the system so that government benefits can be increased for lower income earners. She seeks to focus on extending benefits to those in the middle or lower classes, by enacting policies that would raise minimum wage, expand overtime pay, and push companies to share profits with their employees. Clinton is a strong supporter of increased Social Security benefits and increased Medicare benefits for seniors.
In recent debates, Republicans have argued that increasing Social Security benefits (or even keeping them at their current level) is impossible and unsustainable with people’s increasing life expectancies. They also argue that while some, like Clinton, claim that these older people “paid in” to the system so they now are entitled to “get their money back,” this claim just doesn’t hold up since that “paid in” money was actually spent long ago. In addition, some economists argue that raising the minimum wage for everyone will cause inflation and potentially reduce incentives to seek higher education or specialized training. For instance, Senator Marco Rubio believes that raising minimum wage will simply make real workers “more expensive than machines,” resulting in a loss of jobs instead of a gain. Economist Richard Rahn summarizes many of theses views when he says Clinton’s plan is one that is “a tax system which excessively penalizes labor and capital, [creates] excessive regulations not supported by real cost-benefit analysis, and excessive and wasteful government spending.”
Policy Proposals
Relevant History
Representative Quotes
In recent debates, Republicans have argued that increasing Social Security benefits (or even keeping them at their current level) is impossible and unsustainable with people’s increasing life expectancies. They also argue that while some, like Clinton, claim that these older people “paid in” to the system so they now are entitled to “get their money back,” this claim just doesn’t hold up since that “paid in” money was actually spent long ago. In addition, some economists argue that raising the minimum wage for everyone will cause inflation and potentially reduce incentives to seek higher education or specialized training. For instance, Senator Marco Rubio believes that raising minimum wage will simply make real workers “more expensive than machines,” resulting in a loss of jobs instead of a gain. Economist Richard Rahn summarizes many of theses views when he says Clinton’s plan is one that is “a tax system which excessively penalizes labor and capital, [creates] excessive regulations not supported by real cost-benefit analysis, and excessive and wasteful government spending.”
Policy Proposals
- Increase taxes on the wealthiest earners, including a law to ensure that those making over $1 million pay at least 30% in taxes. (Although the current top rate is 39.6%, a variety of deductions and other measures available for high income earners and investors often makes the total tax paid significantly lower).
- Raise the minimum wage to $12 / hour, and supports the “Fight for 15” efforts across the country, on a state-by-state basis.
Relevant History
- Supported a bill that would allow people to earmark portions of their taxes to go towards veteran assistance.
- Opposed allowing states to collect fees on child support from single parents.
- Supported requiring the Secretary of Health and Human services to publish a list of under-performing nursing homes on a national website.
Representative Quotes
- “Inequality is a drag on our economy, and to get incomes rising again, we need to renew our country’s basic bargain. With near-record corporate profits and stagnant wages, the deck is stacked against working Americans. If you work hard, you deserve to get ahead and stay ahead.”
- “Hillary believes the defining economic challenge of our time is raising incomes for hardworking Americans.”